{"id":2473889,"date":"2025-08-12T14:53:02","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:53:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-lawmaker-joins-packed-democratic-field-aiming-to-oust-joni-ernst\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T14:54:23","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:54:23","slug":"iowa-lawmaker-joins-packed-democratic-field-aiming-to-oust-joni-ernst","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/iowa-lawmaker-joins-packed-democratic-field-aiming-to-oust-joni-ernst\/","title":{"rendered":"Iowa lawmaker joins packed Democratic field aiming to oust Joni Ernst"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fiowa-lawmaker-joins-packed-democratic-field-aiming-to-oust-joni-ernst%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2473889&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Iowa State Representative Josh Turek has entered the crowded Democratic primary to challenge republican Senator Joni Ernst in the 2026 U.S. Senate race. Turek, a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball who has <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >overcome significant physical challenges due<\/a> to spina bifida, represents Council Bluffs in western Iowa. He won his state House seat in 2022 by a narrow margin and has as outperformed other Democrats in his district. Turek positions himself as an underdog persisting in a strongly Republican state and criticizes Ernst for cutting healthcare and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-ag-brnovich-calls-on-gov-ducey-to-take-three-actions-to-address-border-crisis\/\" title=\"Arizona AG Brnovich Calls On Gov. Ducey To Take Three Actions To Address Border Crisis\">food assistance programs<\/a> while <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-and-republicans-race-to-define-the-big-beautiful-bill\/\" title=\"... and Republicans race to define the &#039;big, beautiful bill&#039;\">favoring tax breaks<\/a> for the wealthy. The Democratic primary also includes state senator Zach wahls,Jackie Norris (former Michelle obama aide and Des Moines School Board chair),J.D. Scholten (state senator and former professional baseball player), and Nathan Sage (Iraq War veteran and chamber of commerce leader). All Democratic candidates focus on Ernst&#8217;s support for Republican budget cuts to Medicaid and her controversial statement suggesting fatalism about health outcomes. Even though Ernst has not yet officially declared her re-election campaign, she has begun preparations, and two Republicans have announced primary challenges against her.the large Democratic field indicates optimism about potentially competitive Senate races in states Trump won, though uncertainty remains about the best strategies for Democrats in predominantly Republican areas.  <\/p>\n<div id=\"ld-4686-3758\"><\/div>\n<p><script>(function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:14832835450050406,size:[0, 0],id:\"ld-4686-3758\"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src=\"https:\/\/cdn2.decide.dev\/_js\/ajs.js\";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,\"script\",\"ld-ajs\");<\/script><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek joins crowded Democratic primary to oust Joni Ernst<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2202337\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>In bright-red <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/iowa\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Iowa\">Iowa<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democrats\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Democratic\">Democratic<\/a> field vying to unseat Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Joni Ernst\">Joni Ernst<\/a> (R-IA) grew to five on Tuesday as state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.legis.iowa.gov\/legislators\/legislator?ga=90&amp;personID=33969\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Rep. Josh Turek\">Rep. Josh Turek<\/a> jumped into the race.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>A former Paralympian with two gold medals in wheelchair basketball, Turek represents Council Bluffs in Iowa&rsquo;s far west. After being born with spina bifida, which his family ties to his father&rsquo;s Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, Turek faced 21 surgeries by age 12, and ultimately rose to become a two-time Paralympic gold medalist in wheelchair basketball.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/3497558\/paxton-beto-orourke-pac-payments-jail-democrats-texas\/\">Paxton working to put Beto O&#8217;Rourke &#8216;behind bars&#8217; for PAC payments to Texas Democrats<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3497287\/california-republican-doug-lamalfa-medicaid-cuts-town-hall-heckling\/\">California Republican Doug LaMalfa defends Medicaid cuts amid town hall heckling<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3497376\/tony-gonzales-rematch-brandon-herrera-texas-gop-house-primary\/\">Tony Gonzales faces rematch with Brandon Herrera in Texas GOP House primary<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Turek first <a href=\"https:\/\/sos.iowa.gov\/elections\/pdf\/2022\/general\/canvsummary.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">won<\/a> his state House seat in 2022 by just six votes. Two years later, he outpaced Democrats across Iowa, running over 13 points ahead of former Vice President Kamala Harris in his district. In <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/turek4iowa\/status\/1955209578947166515?s=46&amp;t=r4CaCmNQe5oHrrTZixeUJg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">a two<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-launches-2024-campaign-in-search-of-villains\/\" title=\"Biden launches 2024 campaign in search of villains\">-minute launch video<\/a><\/a>, he framed himself as an underdog who has found ways to win in Trump country.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I was born an underdog. 21 surgeries by the age of 12 for spina bifida. A kid wearing goodwill hand-me-downs. I knew nothing would come easy, but I never doubted my right to the American dream. <\/p>\n<p>Now, I&#8217;m running for the U.S. Senate to make sure all Iowans have a shot at theirs. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/G7j4zYFErW\">pic.twitter.com\/G7j4zYFErW<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Josh Turek (@turek4iowa) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/turek4iowa\/status\/1955209578947166515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 12, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>    <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;m tired of Iowans being taken for granted. I wasn&rsquo;t supposed to be able to win the state House seat that Trump won twice, but I campaigned just like I played basketball, outworking everyone, pushing the hills, crawling the stairs, all just to have a conversation with everyday Iowans, did not matter the party,&rdquo; Turek said in the video.<\/p>\n<p>In the video, Turek contrasts former Democratic Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, who championed the Americans with Disabilities Act and expanded opportunities for people like him, with Ernst, accusing her of shutting people out by cutting healthcare, restricting access to food assistance, and prioritizing tax breaks for billionaires, dismissing concerns, he says, with the attitude that &ldquo;we all are going to die.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Democratic primary lineup also features state Sen. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3438064\/iowa-zach-wahls-launches-senate-challenge-joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Zach Wahls\">Zach Wahls<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3491553\/former-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-senate-challenge-joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Zach Wahls\">Jackie Norris<\/a>, chairwoman of the Des Moines School Board and former chief of staff to Michelle Obama, J.D. Scholten, a state senator and ex-professional baseball player, and Nathan Sage, an Iraq War veteran and head of the Knoxville Chamber of Commerce.<\/p>\n<p>Each of the five Democrats in the race has taken aim at Ernst&rsquo;s support for a Republican budget that cuts Medicaid. Multiple launch videos also called out her &ldquo;we are all going to die&rdquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/e-jean-carroll-goes-after-trump-again-seeks-new-damages-after-cnn-town-hall\/\" title=\"E. Jean Carroll seeks new damages from Trump after CNN Town Hall.\">town hall comment<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The number of contenders points to Democratic optimism that voter backlash to President Donald Trump&rsquo;s second term could make the race competitive in a state he won by 13 points, but also to uncertainty about the party&rsquo;s most effective strategies in GOP territory.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3491553\/former-michelle-obama-aide-jackie-norris-senate-challenge-joni-ernst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"FORMER MICHELLE OBAMA AIDE JACKIE NORRIS ANNOUNCES SENATE CHALLENGE TO JONI ERNST\">FORMER MICHELLE OBAMA AIDE JACKIE NORRIS ANNOUNCES SENATE CHALLENGE TO JONI ERNST<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While Ernst has yet to declare a 2026 reelection bid, she has brought on a campaign manager and set the date for her annual Roast and Ride fundraiser in October. Two Republicans, former state Sen. Jim Carlin and Joshua Smith, have already announced plans to challenge her in the primary.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_2202337\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"2202337\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Iowa Rep. Josh Turek enters crowded Democratic race against Ernst<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2473890,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP04091804003.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[61143,5626,33027,3914],"class_list":["post-2473889","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-democratic-field","tag-iowa","tag-joni-ernst","tag-lawmaker"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/AP04091804003.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473889","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2473889"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473889\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2473893,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2473889\/revisions\/2473893"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2473890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2473889"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2473889"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2473889"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}